Need help diagnosing Mamiya M645 (not 1000s)

natertots · Mar 12, 2014

Recently I purchased a Mamiya M645. While its exterior is in great condition, the shutter does not work. It has a peculiar issue where the shutter button only opens the shutter and it uses the battery check button to bring in the second part of the shutter (to stop the exposure). If needed, I can record video of this. Is there any way to fix this without having to buy a new body? The exterior is nearly perfect and it'd be a shame for it to just be a paperweight. Thank you.

alexfoto · Mar 12, 2014

-This happen when the battery is exhausted, check the battery and replace with new one.

natertots · Mar 12, 2014

I bought a fresh PX28 lithium battery for it since I couldn't find anything else in my area when I first got it. Do I need true silver oxide batteries for it to function?

agfarapid · Mar 12, 2014

No, you don't need silver oxide. I use an Alkaline 4LR44 6V. I bought 5 of them for about $10 on Amazon. Apparently, these are mainly used on dog collars to power dog owners' electric fences. They've been working fine for me for the past several weeks on my orginal Mamiya 645 as well as the later 645 Super. Also, your shutter will hang up if you place the shutter dial on the little round circle between 500 sec and B.

MattKing · Mar 12, 2014

natertots said:
I bought a fresh PX28 lithium battery for it since I couldn't find anything else in my area when I first got it. Do I need true silver oxide batteries for it to function?

Be careful with the lithium batteries. They are different from the other options, and your camera came out a long time before they were invented.

Mamiya used to have a compatibility chart on the internet that listed which cameras were (and were not) suitable for using the lithium batteries.

The alkaline batteries work on the Super and the Pro bodies I have owned, but they don't last particularly long.

dorff · Mar 13, 2014

MattKing said:
Be careful with the lithium batteries. They are different from the other options, and your camera came out a long time before they were invented.

Mamiya used to have a compatibility chart on the internet that listed which cameras were (and were not) suitable for using the lithium batteries.

The alkaline batteries work on the Super and the Pro bodies I have owned, but they don't last particularly long.

+1. The alkaline batteries seem to last quite long enough for a few dozen rolls, though. I have RZ67 Pro II, Pentax 67 II and Mamiya Pro TL bodies that use them, and I replace a battery on average once every six months to a year.

alexfoto · Mar 13, 2014

-I use alkaline and last long in my old 645, i shoot now my 19 roll of film, and the battery check led look bright.

BMbikerider · Mar 13, 2014

This may be due to sticking magnets on the electronically controlled shutter and may possibly be cleared after a good clean and service. The same happens to Minolta models (XG1! and later) and can almost always be restored to full working order.

Need help diagnosing Mamiya M645 (not 1000s)

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